Dome passes Shake Table tests

This shake table test is a dome built with wood – would be MUCH better if the dome was built with basalt rebars, basalt mesh, basalt twine and basalt chopped fibers!

Basalt is stronger than steel, never rusting or corroding, does not conduct electricity, or burn down or get eaten by bugs, mold or ruined by water.

Use this basic dome shape as the starting point and build into and around it. Dormers or porches or additions for instance. By keeping the structural integrity of the dome shape, you provide your family with a safe and intelligent structure that can be very comfortable.

Basalt reinforcements will last for centuries. Add crystallizing agents into your concrete and use advanced aggregates to stop water penetration and plasticizers to allow for flex and expansion and contraction. These will solve most all problems. Fire retardant, natural disaster mitigation and a healthier home that is earth friendly and built with a conscience!

Comments

I watched the video of the dome during the simulated earthquake. From what I can see, one of the reasons for it continuing to stand was its flexibility. I was wondering, wouldn’t adding basalt cause it to be more rigid and lose that benefit?

The basalt rebars are in fact incredibly flexible yet want to return to straight. In a seismic application I want my building to want to return to where it was. Steel if bent stays bent. So when structural engineers bring up the so called shear factor I think it is most always a mute point. If a building got to the point of actual catastrophic breaking point you are doomed no matter. This is unlikely-but bending and shaking yes. In bridges they test to break-but the reality is it will most likely bend and again steel will stay bent-basalt will bounce back.
AND it is many times lighter and yet stronger and less concrete can many times be poured. Also I say use both if worried-best of both worlds. Wood has too many problems-bugs, fire, rot, nice for elements but not for structure unless like tri-lams -very expensive.

About Nick

Working with concrete and steel for over 25 years has given me an innate understanding of the properties and use of these materials. From rebuilding old homes in New England to hospitals in Alaska, union work on the pipeline, and commercial jobs from Hawaii to Arizona and Florida, I have seen a great deal!

My motivation when seeing people lose their homes to fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, etc. is the knowledge that by building correctly many of these homes, and lives can be spared. New standards are in place such as installing better windows or hurricane ties. However to me these are just band-aids on the greater problem of building correctly in the first place. Homes can be built today with designs and new reinforcements that can withstand the elements.